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(N0 ModeL) I A. 0. FAIRBANKS,

MANDOLIN.

No. 510,335. Patented Dec. 5, 1893.

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. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT C. FAIRBANKS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE A. O. FAIRBANKS COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

MANDOLIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 510,335, dated December 5, 1893.

Application filed May 2. 1893 Serial No. 472,710. (No model.)

To coZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT O. FAIRBANKS,Of Boston, county of Sufiolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Mandolins, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification,iike letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object to improve to the construction of mandolins whereby the same are not only improved as to tone but rendered stronger, more durable and given a novel appearance. I have also improved the construction of the tail piece so that it is less in the way of the hands of the operator. The bodies of mandolins as now commonly made consist of narrow thin strips of wood having their edges abutted closely and glued together, thus making a body of a single thickness which is not very strong and in which the strips are liable to displacement.

In accordance with my invention I use for the body a series of thin strips with their edges abutted together, and in addition thereto, I increase the strength of the body by adding to the series of foundation strips a series of auxiliary strips to cover the lines of junction of the main strips of the body, the said auxiliary strips having their edges prefo erably abutted, the outer sides and edges of the said auxiliary strips being preferably rounded 01f as shown in the drawings.

Figure 1, in side elevation represents a mandolin embodying my invention. Fig. 2,

is a partial section thereof on the line as, Fig. 1; Fig. 3, an enlarged face view of the tail piece closed; and Fig. 4., a side elevation of a modified form of tail piece.

The neck a, of the mandolin, and its face b are and may be of any usual shape.

The body of the mandolin is composed of a series of narrow strips of wood 0 having their edges abutted, as best shown in Fig. 2, and upon the main strips 0, and to cover 5 the joints between them are glued the series of auxiliary strips (Z, their edges being also preferably abutted and rounded as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A body of this sort is very strong and highly ornamental, and makes a very desirable instrument of excellent tone. The strings e are connected to the posts f carried by the tail piece g, the latter being composed of metal and having a jointed post cover h, with which I have combined a looking device m. The post cover, shown in Figs. 1 and 3, is hinged at its upper end to the tail piece at a, but in the modification Fig 4 the joint is at 0.

The locking device shown consists of a button-like piece m having as its center of motion the stud m, the button having preferably a projection as m to be engaged when it is desired to turn the button. The free end of the button enters a space back of the shield e, forming part of the tail piece.

By hinging the upper end of the post cover to the tail piece at a point above the posts, the sleeve or hand of the player has presented to it a smooth surface, and consequently the post cover can not be accidentally turned back.

The shape and construction of the locking device may be variously modified Without departing from my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A mandolin having its body composed of a main series of strips having their edges abutted and secured together, and a series of auxiliary strips applied to the main strips to cover the lines of junction of the main strips, substantially as described.

2. A mandolin having its body composed of a main series of strips having their edges abutted and secured together, and a series of auxiliary strips applied to the main strips to cover the lines of junction of the main strips, the said auxiliary strips having their outer faces rounded toward their side edges, substantially as described.

3. The tail piece, combined with a post cover, the upper end of the cover being hinged to the tail-piece, above the posts, substantially as described.

et. The tail-piece, combined with a post cover, the upper end of the cover being hinged to the tail-piece, above the posts and with a locking device, to operate, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALBERT O. FAIRBANKS.

Witnesses:

GEo. W. GREGORY, EMMA J. BENNETT. 

